Debate Worksheet: Motions and Sides

Debate lesson 9: The motion, proposition and opposition · Set 95 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Two sides, one motion): Motion: the statement being debated, often starting “This House believes…” or “This House would…”. Proposition: for the motion, speaks first, defines the key words, ends “I beg to propose”. Opposition: against it, answers the proposition, ends “I beg to oppose”. Good debate topics for students have two real sides; a plain fact is not debatable.

1. 1.True or false: “This House believes 2 + 2 = 4.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
2. 2.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) is against the motion (b) is for the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) speaks first
3. 3.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
4. 4.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes the Sun rises in the east.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
5. 5.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) answers the proposition (b) must disprove the motion (c) defines the key words (d) may test the definition
6. 6.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would give every class a pet.” (a) not debatable (b) debatable
7. 7.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House would replace exams with projects.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
8. 8.⚖️ Which side says “I beg to propose”? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
9. 9.📜 Which words often begin a debate motion? (a) “Once upon a time…” (b) “Dear diary…” (c) “Breaking news…” (d) “This House…”
10. 10.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) says “I beg to oppose” (b) must disprove the motion (c) speaks first (d) is against the motion
11. 11.📜 What is a motion in a debate? (a) the winner’s prize (b) the last speech (c) the topic statement (d) the timekeeper
12. 12.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must prove the motion (b) says “I beg to propose” (c) may test the definition (d) is for the motion
13. 13.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is against the motion (b) must disprove the motion (c) must prove the motion (d) may test the definition
14. 14.📜 A good motion must have… (a) no clear meaning (b) a hidden answer (c) one right answer (d) two sides to argue
15. 15.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes ice is frozen water.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
16. 16.⚖️ Which side defines the key words? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
17. 17.📜 The team that argues against the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the judges (c) the proposition (d) the opposition
18. 18.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a triangle has three sides.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
19. 19.⚖️ Which side is against the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
20. 20.📜 The team that argues for the motion is called… (a) the audience (b) the proposition (c) the opposition (d) the judges
21. 21.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) must disprove the motion (b) is against the motion (c) is for the motion (d) answers the proposition
22. 22.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) True (b) False
23. 23.True or false: “This House believes ice is frozen water.” is a debatable motion. (a) False (b) True
24. 24.⚖️ Which side speaks first? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
25. 25.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) may test the definition (b) must disprove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
26. 26.Which of these is true of the opposition? (a) is for the motion (b) must prove the motion (c) is against the motion (d) speaks first
27. 27.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
28. 28.True or false: “This House would replace exams with projects.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
29. 29.Which of these is true of the proposition? (a) is for the motion (b) says “I beg to oppose” (c) is against the motion (d) answers the proposition
30. 30.⚖️ Which side must disprove the motion? (a) the opposition (b) the proposition
31. 31.True or false: “This House believes the Earth goes round the Sun.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
32. 32.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
33. 33.⚖️ Which side must prove the motion? (a) the proposition (b) the opposition
34. 34.True or false: “This House believes spiders have eight legs.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
35. 35.True or false: “This House believes board games beat screen games.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False
36. 36.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) answers the proposition (b) defines the key words (c) may test the definition (d) is against the motion
37. 37.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a week has seven days.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
38. 38.True or false: “This House believes summer holidays are too long.” is not debatable — it is a plain fact. (a) False (b) True
39. 39.📜 Is this a debatable motion? “This House believes a year has twelve months.” (a) debatable (b) not debatable
40. 40.True or false: “This House believes a cricket team has eleven players.” is a debatable motion. (a) True (b) False

Free debate lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/debate-for-students